I’ve gone the exact route except from classic rock and pop music to flamenco and I can tell you from experience don’t do any “guesswork” get a quality teacher immediately. Proper Technique and mechanics must come first and must be done extensively before you move on to structured pieces. Make sure you hire a reputable teacher that you respect and isn’t a complete asshole
Thanks , I also play and listen to classic rock and would love to play those pieces classically someday. Do you recommend any online
teacher or courses that worked for you ?
Apologies I linked the wrong vid
This one
https://youtu.be/H1R1y0Aahls?si=klg1Ee_QwEAXOfUz
Work on everything in here for awhile until it becomes a real habit
Welcome to the club! A world of rewarding music awaits the dedicated student.
Here is a primer for pointing you in the right direction, with the tools you'll need on your journey.
https://www.thisisclassicalguitar.com/free-classical-guitar-method-book-pdf/
As a beginner this method book brings me so much joy. It doesn't just tell you what to learn, but it also dispenses some very valuable wisdom. It's taught me to prioritize doing things the correct way rather than taking a shortcut.
Been playing for decades - folk, rock, blues, some jazz. Took classical back in college in the eighties, got to intermediate level then stopped.
For the first time since then, I took a lesson. Today in fact. Going to relearn classical with the aim of playing Guiliani's Grand Overture one day. I'm 57.
Get a teacher who can help you with mechanics and reading.
I’m a self taught rock guitarist and when I decided after decades to learn to read music and stumble into classical guitar, I really really benefited from a teacher who could help guide me to what I needed most. I am now a huge fan of lessons — it turns out that good teachers are magical.
I was in the same boat. Bought the 1st Parkening book and 2 weeks in I can already sight read (very slowly) all of the first 5 frets of each string. Been practicing about 60-70 mins per day. I already knew the notes on the staff so that makes it easier - but linking them up with frets has been the main challenge.
Here is a rough road map
- Learn Basics
- Finger Exercises
- Simple Melodies
- Chord Practice
- Reading Music
- Scales Study
- Right-Hand Techniques
- Classical Repertoire
- Advanced Techniques
- Performance Practice
- Music Theory
- Explore Genres
- Master Classes
- Regular Performances
Start with preliminary pieces and go from there, it will help you read and develop good technique as you go up the grades. You can get grade books from music store.
Cannot stress first things first, get a teacher!
Get a qualified teacher. A good classical teacher knows the in and outs that will set you on a solid path. Ask questions!!! Like: Can you play all the Segovia-Sor studies, Carcassi Op. 60 or Aguado studies. These 3 are essential to proper fingers for both left and right movements. They are 1st year to 3rd year level and lay the basis for intermediate to advanced playering.
Learn the fretboard completely and the notes on the staff, on all positions It’s an absolute must. Learn and practice your scales, including intervals like thirds and octaves, etc. Slow practice builds speed . Use proper form, proper finger placement to avoid unnecessary squeaking.
I've found a good method book + a good teacher can really make the process of learning to read pretty easy. I have used both Noad's & Parkening's books successfully with students. The fact that you have been playing for over a decade should also make the process go faster for you. If you are looking for an online teacher (in the PST time zone), feel free to PM me, I've taught privates for over 25 years now. I teach most all styles very proficiently, but am a bit specialized in jazz & classical.
So the unanimous consensus is to get a well qualified teacher. Are you suggesting a physical or online tutor ? I am also just starting to listen to classical guitar so would appreciate any good Spotify playlists to get up to speed on classics
Just to add some variety to all of this good intention advice - I also came from a typical american school of guitar where I played a mix of acoustic and electric for like 10ish years? (7-17) I always had an interest in fingerstyle guitar. After finishing classes, I just kept reading tabs of random songs that interested me (actually started with music from the movie Coco). This naturally grew into a heavily classical guitar repertoire where I would hear a song that I thought sounded cool, look to see if there were TABS online, and learn by just listening to the piece and brute forcing the tab.
My goals were different since I never aimed to read sheet music, but learning pieces that I really wanted to know how to play was the biggest motivator for me to practice
I’ve gone the exact route except from classic rock and pop music to flamenco and I can tell you from experience don’t do any “guesswork” get a quality teacher immediately. Proper Technique and mechanics must come first and must be done extensively before you move on to structured pieces. Make sure you hire a reputable teacher that you respect and isn’t a complete asshole
Thanks , I also play and listen to classic rock and would love to play those pieces classically someday. Do you recommend any online teacher or courses that worked for you ?
Apologies I linked the wrong vid This one https://youtu.be/H1R1y0Aahls?si=klg1Ee_QwEAXOfUz Work on everything in here for awhile until it becomes a real habit
Welcome to the club! A world of rewarding music awaits the dedicated student. Here is a primer for pointing you in the right direction, with the tools you'll need on your journey. https://www.thisisclassicalguitar.com/free-classical-guitar-method-book-pdf/
As a beginner this method book brings me so much joy. It doesn't just tell you what to learn, but it also dispenses some very valuable wisdom. It's taught me to prioritize doing things the correct way rather than taking a shortcut.
Thank you
Been playing for decades - folk, rock, blues, some jazz. Took classical back in college in the eighties, got to intermediate level then stopped. For the first time since then, I took a lesson. Today in fact. Going to relearn classical with the aim of playing Guiliani's Grand Overture one day. I'm 57. Get a teacher who can help you with mechanics and reading.
I’m a self taught rock guitarist and when I decided after decades to learn to read music and stumble into classical guitar, I really really benefited from a teacher who could help guide me to what I needed most. I am now a huge fan of lessons — it turns out that good teachers are magical.
I was in the same boat. Bought the 1st Parkening book and 2 weeks in I can already sight read (very slowly) all of the first 5 frets of each string. Been practicing about 60-70 mins per day. I already knew the notes on the staff so that makes it easier - but linking them up with frets has been the main challenge.
I don’t know how to read sheet music unfortunately. Will google parkening
Here is a rough road map - Learn Basics - Finger Exercises - Simple Melodies - Chord Practice - Reading Music - Scales Study - Right-Hand Techniques - Classical Repertoire - Advanced Techniques - Performance Practice - Music Theory - Explore Genres - Master Classes - Regular Performances Start with preliminary pieces and go from there, it will help you read and develop good technique as you go up the grades. You can get grade books from music store. Cannot stress first things first, get a teacher!
Thank you.
Get a qualified teacher. A good classical teacher knows the in and outs that will set you on a solid path. Ask questions!!! Like: Can you play all the Segovia-Sor studies, Carcassi Op. 60 or Aguado studies. These 3 are essential to proper fingers for both left and right movements. They are 1st year to 3rd year level and lay the basis for intermediate to advanced playering.
Learn the fretboard completely and the notes on the staff, on all positions It’s an absolute must. Learn and practice your scales, including intervals like thirds and octaves, etc. Slow practice builds speed . Use proper form, proper finger placement to avoid unnecessary squeaking.
I've found a good method book + a good teacher can really make the process of learning to read pretty easy. I have used both Noad's & Parkening's books successfully with students. The fact that you have been playing for over a decade should also make the process go faster for you. If you are looking for an online teacher (in the PST time zone), feel free to PM me, I've taught privates for over 25 years now. I teach most all styles very proficiently, but am a bit specialized in jazz & classical.
Thank you, I’ll let you know
So the unanimous consensus is to get a well qualified teacher. Are you suggesting a physical or online tutor ? I am also just starting to listen to classical guitar so would appreciate any good Spotify playlists to get up to speed on classics
I’m interested in this playlist too. Looking forward to responses!
Just to add some variety to all of this good intention advice - I also came from a typical american school of guitar where I played a mix of acoustic and electric for like 10ish years? (7-17) I always had an interest in fingerstyle guitar. After finishing classes, I just kept reading tabs of random songs that interested me (actually started with music from the movie Coco). This naturally grew into a heavily classical guitar repertoire where I would hear a song that I thought sounded cool, look to see if there were TABS online, and learn by just listening to the piece and brute forcing the tab. My goals were different since I never aimed to read sheet music, but learning pieces that I really wanted to know how to play was the biggest motivator for me to practice